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Sharks Hot, Flames Not. San Jose Over Calgary 6-3

What’s up sports fans? The Sharks are continuing to play terrific hockey, and as the playoffs near you start to wonder how other teams are viewing them. You have to consider that because it influences the way they play them. I think I blogged one quote from St. Louis Blues coach Davis Payne who said, “It looks like they found their game,” “Their puck movement puts them in a top-four spot and they have made a huge charge to get into that spot. Obviously, in this conference, if you are in the top four you are a pretty good team.” That’s just how one opponent views the Sharks the others would be hard to get response’s out of them since most of them are on the other side of the country.

So after some key wins San Jose had to deal with Calgary, again. San Jose wasted no time and began with shooting the puck at Calgary’s Miikka Kiprusoff 38 times. The goalie saved it 32 times out of those 38 shots. Sharks also had a 4-2 lead in the first period which allowed them to cruise for a 6-3 win. Patrick Marleau scored two goals, Torrey Mitchell scored two goals, and Joe Pavelski was applying the pressure with two assists. “We knew they had lost,” forward Ryane Clowe said. “I don’t know if that was extra motivation or anything. They’re definitely in striking distance. We have an opportunity to jump into second and get that home ice. It gives us something to strive for right now.The way we’re playing we have a good chance to pass them.”

Trust me as much as I like Clowe’s candor if they pass them and get the second spot it won’t be by chance, it will be because the Sharks are out playing the opponents. Antii Niemi came up with 22 saves on 29 shots to give him his win on starting 29 times this season. The flames had two overtime losses, but because they couldn’t get a point in this match-up they’re going to struggle because they are behind Anaheim by two points for the 8th playoff spot in the Western Conference. “We’ve been in a little bit of a rut in our last five or six games,” Iginla said. “We’re not coming out and playing as confident or assertive as we need to. In the first period to give up four goals is not going to win you many games. It’s unacceptable. Obviously it’s a tough loss at this time of year.”

Calgary did get scores from Jarome Iginla, Rene Bourque, and Cory Sarich. It didn’t matter. Patrick Marleau, and Torrey Mitchell kept scoring and Kiprusoff could only handle so much. “We got off our game and fundamentally had some breakdowns,” Flames coach Brent Sutter said. “They took advantage of it. They are a very good hockey team. We can’t play that way for the rest of the season.” See this is back to what I was saying in the beginning of my post, how other teams view the Sharks. They view them as they should be viewed right now, a very good high executing hockey team that is looking forward to the playoffs. “It’s amazing when you start to feel it and you feel comfortable and confident on the ice, things happen for you,” coach Todd McLellan said. Logan Couture I can’t say enough about.

The guy took a nasty hit that looked like it could put him out for awhile, instead he bounces back and comes in and scores for the Sharks, what resiliency. Marleau did score the final two goals and when he plays he seems to be a man on a mission of shear determination, “It’s great to have everybody contribute,” Marleau said. “We’ll need more of that coming down the stretch. It’s the way we’re built and it’s the way things should happen. Everybody should have fun scoring goals.” Sharks seem focused and are winning the back forth fight with the puck. Tell me what you think. Remember folks it’s ALLBAYAREASPORTS.COM. Bay Area Sports Magnified!